China has no patent laws so that would make the sale of that item in China completely legal. Everywhere else it is illegal, because it is stolen technology. If you were to try to sell that here or probably even e-bay you could get hit with at least patent violation. You are dealing with hardware, hardware is patented not copyright. The software itself is copyrighted and licensed. I suppose the software running on the device that handles the licensing is copyrighted.

When you purchase your sim from Phoenix you don't purchase the software itself, you never own software even if you possess a physical disk, you own a license to use the software. In this case that license resides on the dongle.

I'd suggest getting a free one if you must have one, as I agree with it being theft. If you've indeed downloaded a pirate copy, you should buy the software and support the developers, and then you will be entitled to all the benefits that go with it.

China has no patent laws so that would make the sale of that item in China completely legal. Everywhere else it is illegal, because it is stolen technology. If you were to try to sell that here or probably even e-bay you could get hit with at least patent violation. You are dealing with hardware, hardware is patented not copyright. The software itself is copyrighted and licensed. I suppose the software running on the device that handles the licensing is copyrighted.

When you purchase your sim from Phoenix you don't purchase the software itself, you never own software even if you possess a physical disk, you own a license to use the software. In this case that license resides on the dongle.

I'd suggest getting a free one if you must have one, as I agree with it being theft. If you've indeed downloaded a pirate copy, you should buy the software and support the developers, and then you will be entitled to all the benefits that go with it.

Words from you must be wise . I've decided I'm going to get it from Phoenix themselves. What I don't think people understand is that I was browsing the website when I see a bargain which I think can't be for real and query it here, the next thing I know I'm being told I'm stealing Im al against stealing but when somewhere like hobby king are selling it you feel it must be legit. Obviously I'm wrong. Doesn't matter anyway I've contacted Phoenix to let them know about the hobby king dongle via their support centre and have ordered it from Phoenix. All's good

Now I totally see what you guys are getting at with all this stealing talk, but did he ask for your opinion on whether or not it would be morally wrong to buy the product?

To answer the OP, no this dongle will not come with the software. This dongle is to be used in collaboration with say a cheapo usb TX and a pirated version of Phoenix, the dongle will trick the program into thinking you've got a proper TX and dongle setup that comes with the actual product, thus allowing cheap aftermarket TX's to be used, such as a dynam 6ch usb TX.

Now I totally see what you guys are getting at with all this stealing talk, but did he ask for your opinion on whether or not it would be morally wrong to buy the product?

To answer the OP, no this dongle will not come with the software. This dongle is to be used in collaboration with say a cheapo usb TX and a pirated version of Phoenix, the dongle will trick the program into thinking you've got a proper TX and dongle setup that comes with the actual product, thus allowing cheap aftermarket TX's to be used, such as a dynam 6ch usb TX.

Some say the do get software with this dongle.......
And PhoenixRC is sold without TX, the protection is inside the dongle......so sadly these cheap dongles allow you to use all TX out there. Why you think they even add a bunch of cables??

@ RC Trainer plane
Do edit the first post and remove the url.
I too reported your post. Nothing personal, just dislike the url used......

The good thing about having the software licence built into the dongle rather than the software is you can use your dongle on many PC's. If people insist on pirating the hard work of software developers, companies like phoenix will be forced into more rigourous anti-pirate protection, forcing the one PC / one licence rule. No more flipping from one PC to your TV or Laptop.!

The sad part of this is that when sales of the pirated dongles get too common Phoenix will likely stop development as it will no longer be profitable. Then those who came to Phoenix through the back door will have to steal something else.

Nice to see your views. I'm merely asking if comes with the package because it's not stated clearly.

So before you start giving me all your stealing stuff listen to what i have to say. It's being sold by Hobby King a well reknowned and i feel trustworthy place to buy.I'm pretty sure Hobby King wouldn't take the risk of stealing software and hence being liable to being sued. If hobby King sells it and i want it i'll buy it. If the price were say £100 nobody would claim it were stealing. Do you see my point? I'm more than willing to listen to what you have to say but things like accusing people of stealing when they're asking a question i feel is a bit much. So if you could keep this thread on topic i.e answering the question im posing to you then i'd be more than grateful to hear what you have to say if not then find another thread. Simple.

Renowned and trustworthy? Are you kidding me? Better surf the site a little more and check out the counterfeit chargers and Spektrum receivers. They even sell a "genuine" and "counterfeit" I-Max charger, worded exactly that way on their site! Not trustworthy in my book.